Captain Jack's Prime Rib

08/04/09

60's vintage steak and seafood- for a price

by Hughhoeger at Citysearch

Captain Jack's has been a fixture in Sunset Beach for well over 40 years now, and literally hasn't changed a bit. Dark woods, cozy bar, live music and friendly staff can make for a intimate atmosphere. This is somewhat marred by the noisy environment , though we did go on a busy Friday night. The service was also quite slow, though the staff was very attentive once they got around to us, just a long wait between the attention. The food is tasty and well prepared, but basic- steak and seafood, including their signature crab legs. However I would consider it pretty expensive for the quality of the food and service, I've definitely had better, and even something like a baked potato is ala carte.

• Pros: Right on water, traditional atmosphere
• Cons: Noisy, expensive

08/02/09

Worst meal ever

by Sally1078 at Citysearch

Nothing unique or special about my last trip (and I mean my last trip) to this place. I ordered the Salmon and what I got was a huge piece of red fish, half off my plate, luke warm, and with no taste. I had to ask for lots of lemons but even that didn't make it good. The 3 friends with me ordered the seafood and meat combo and my friend's prime rib was so rare and only luke warm that she couldn't eat it. Never again for me.

• Pros: Fun place
• Cons: Extremely overpriced

06/26/09

THE BEST - All round crab and steak restaurant

by jtraina at Citysearch

I have been going to Capt Jacks since 1983. In my opinion, it is one of the landmarks that has stood the test of time. There is no place where I have eaten better King Crab. (I haven't been to Alaska yet). Further, the other entrees they serve have always been great. It is the one place I know of where everyone can find something on the menu. From seafood to lamb chops, salad to bread, it covers all the needs.

The setting is small, intimate and you will bump into folks... including servers... by accident of course. The place is bustling... especially on Friday and Saturday nights. It's one of the restaurants atmosphere attributes in my opinion... have a good time with a bunch of folks. If you are claustrophobic, don't go to Capt Jacks. If you don't like sitting tightly around other folks while dining... don't go to Capt. Jacks. If two people want the best king crab and teriyaki steak they have ever had and two glasses of wine each for less than $100 with tip... don't go to Capt Jacks. Other than that... GO TO CAPT. JACKS.

I have read some of the reviews here and I will not diminish anyone's experience. Over the years, there has been times when the Capt. Jack's experience has not been as good as previous times spent. (And I am not referring to food quality, just service) In my opinion, in business this happens. In every business and every person... there are bad days. In the 20+ years, the good has been 95% and the less than par 5%. I'm sure this isn't easy to swallow, if you were a first timer, spent $100 bucks and in your opinion had a bad experience. All I can say is try again. There is a similar restaurant competitor very close by that I have been to 3 times. My first visit I had an entire serving tray dumped on me by a server. I went back... Second visit was ok. The third visit was ok. Capt. Jacks has been and is leaps better in my opinion. Further, the dry cleaning bill afterwards has been cheaper as well.

One other thing. If you are planning a large party (10 or more) pre-plan 2 weeks ahead of time and reserve the large room in the back and it will be great.

Hope this helps.

• Pros: The king crab, prime rib, teriyaki steak and setting.
• Cons: The place is always busy weekends and hard to reserve.

06/26/09

THE BEST for crab and steak restaurant

by jtraina at Citysearch

Read below

• Pros: .

03/12/09

GREAT PLACE FOR YOU AND YOUR HUBBY!!

by ladypadazz at Citysearch

My husband and I went to Captain Jack's last weekend, I loved it! I am a steak and sea food lover! the atmosphere was great, they have live entertainment by candle lite while you wait to be seated.. then when you are taken to the back to order your food you can see the ocean.. OMG THE FOOD WAS GREAT!!! we will be back.... Nothing bad to say @ all.

• Pros: LOBSTER, STEAK, KING CRABS!! LOVE IT
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

01/17/09

Best crab legs, prime rib, and cocktails, but horrible management!

by SMUGGLESWORTH at Citysearch

This place needs to fire their two dinosaur managers... Carol and Bunny, what a couple of useless old stoves!!! Hacks. Other than that, best place ever... Tim Haley is the best.

12/19/08

Great crablegs, poor service and looong waits

by OCborn at Citysearch

Grew up in OC but sad to say, I never went to Capt. Jacks. I have since moved away up north, but my sister who lives in HB, highly recommended Capt. Jack's. She raves about the crablegs being the best in town. On a trip down to visit her, we all went there for dinner, including my father and step mother. The food was good no doubt, but for older, less tolerable people, the noise level and crowds aren't good! My father complained the whole time about the service, the noise level, the wait, the crowds, the parking, etc. He is right, for the price you pay (it's pricey!) the service should and could be better. Also their parking is basically nil. If you don't get there early, plan on hoofing it a few blocks and waiting awhile for a table. All in all, my sister was right. The food was really good and I haven't had better crab legs. But just be warned that if you are looking for a quiet atmosphere, to be served and seated promptly and service that's out of this world, this isn't the place!!

10/24/08

Simply the BEST

by sydinlaguna at Citysearch

LOVE Captain Jacks - The service is fantastic, you get an entire team who can help you! As for the servers being rude unless you're a local? NOT TRUE. As a former server I know how it can be when a customer is told "No", I can't imagine anyone at Jack;s being rude for no reason.

The first time I went, it was with a group of 10 [the largest party size the will accept btw, since it's a smaller venue] and was told to order the prime rib. Wow! The portion was HUGE. Be prepared to eat A LOT and take some home for later. Fresh sourdough and pumpernickle bread with butter and the salad with bleu cheese [homemade and full of big chuncks of bleu] was already a pretty solid amount of food, add the prime rib and I had enough to last me a few days! Since it was a birthday a complimentary slice of cheesecake with strawberries was brought to the guest of honor complete with a song.

The wine. We had a bottle of a meritage - I didn't pick it out, but it was delicious. Cork fee is $20 btw if you want to bring your own, but their wine list is great.

The seafood - I don't do seafood, but everyone else raved about the crab legs and the seafood skins for days after our dinner.

The entertainment - they have a gentleman who plays music in the bar and he's wonderful. Nothing too loud to distract from your conversation but very easy to relax and listen to when there's nothing to be said.

All in all, a wonderfull experience - I would reccomend Jack's to anyone!

09/09/08

Best Crab in CA

by wrhb at Citysearch

My wife and I have been going here on a consistant basis for the last four years, it is excellent. Highly Reccomended, especially if you are in the mood for fresh seafood.

08/06/08

Locals Only! HORRIBLE SERVICE

by dsppntd at Citysearch

From the reviews it seems like Jack's is a loveit/hateit kind of place. WE HATED IT! We went for our anniversary but were rudely treated after being told that an expired i.d. is illegal identification. (My wallet was stolen last week and I'm waiting on a new license in the mail.) TSA at LAX will take my expired i.d. but it's not good enough for the manager at Jack's! Refusing my id would have been only disappointing if someone would have offered to bring me something else to drink (iced tea? coke? anyone? anyone?), but no, we were ignored the rest of the night. The food was mediocre; I've had better at Red Lobster (and not paid $4 extra for a potato). Finally, they overcharged our card by $20! Mastercard will be hearing about this one! Good luck at Jack's if your not a good-ol'-boy from HB or Sunset!

• Pros: Valet guy and waterboy were very nice
• Cons: ALL other servers and manager were very rude!